John McIntire Elementary gets new shade structure

ZANESVILLE, Ohio - John McIntire Elementary School in Zanesville has a new addition to their playground that has students very excited.

The playground was lacking trees or any structure to provide shade for the students while playing in the sun.

Dr. Doug Baker, Superintendent for Zanesville City Schools, explained how the school obtained the structure. The faculty took notice after witnessing students attempting to get shade under a picnic table that was on the grounds.

“It started with our staff recognizing an issue for our students, and that was the lack of shade on the playground area that they have here at John McIntire,” said Baker. “So they did some exploration [and] they were able to locate a grant and then put their efforts in to reaching out to the folks in the community that they needed to.”

The American Academy of Dermatology provides grants for elementary schools to build these shelters to protect children from over exposure to the sun.

Local Dermatologist, Dr. John Hibler, showed concern about the children and helped the school with their efforts for the structure.

“There’s just no shelter so the kids had no place here,” said Hibler. “But the bottom line is it’s a good time for children to realize that despite the popularity of tanning beds in the past, the sun has many benefits but it also has dangerous side effects.”

The students are still thrilled about the popular new structure.